Chapter 2078 — A Warm Reception
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
Toward Wei Zhao, Han Tianba did not dare show the slightest presumption. Wei Zhao was a being who could effortlessly annihilate even a late Earth-rank expert; to wipe out the entire Hidden Han Family would have been, for him, an easy and pleasant task. And Han Tianba himself was at present only an expert at the peak of early Earth-rank.
From afar, Han Xiaohu saw his grandfather and the others waiting at the entrance of the council hall to welcome Wei Zhao, and for a moment he was slightly taken aback—but only for a moment, before he understood his grandfather's intent. This time, the Hidden Han Family was going to gamble big: since they had already resolved to present the ingredients for refining the Spirit-Gathering Pill, they might as well bind the entire interests of the Han Family to Wei Zhao.
Wei Zhao had many enemies, true, but in any case, with a thorn like Wei Zhao standing strong, the Hidden Han Family's situation would be far better than before. Yes, Wei Zhao had no shortage of enemies—but how many really dared to move against him?
Once the Hidden Han Family became Wei Zhao's people, anyone who wished to move against them would have to ask Wei Zhao whether he agreed.
Seeing the Hidden Han Family put on such a grand display, Wei Zhao was rather surprised. He got out of the car together with Han Xiaohu, and Han Tianba came over.
"Mr. Lin honors us with his presence—this humble abode is truly aglow with the honor of your visit!" Han Tianba said with a laugh, cupping his hands toward Wei Zhao.
"There is no need for such courtesy, Elder Han. Since Xiaopo is now my junior brother, that makes us of the same generation—calling you Grandpa Han is no more than proper," Wei Zhao said.
"Haha! In the martial path, the one who has arrived first is honored. We are not blood kin, so seniority here is reckoned by strength, not by age!" Han Tianba waved his hand, not minding in the least. "Mr. Lin can effortlessly annihilate even a late Earth-rank expert. I am merely an expert at the peak of early Earth-rank. To call Mr. Lin a fellow disciple or my senior would be entirely fitting—Mr. Lin is already being polite..."
"Very well, have it your way. I shall call you Elder Han, then," Wei Zhao said, not pressing the matter. Such were the rules among cultivators. Wei Zhao and Han Tianba had no kinship between them, so reckoning seniority by strength was not unreasonable.
"Mr. Lin, I have already laid out a banquet in the council hall; we await only your taking a seat!" Han Tianba smiled slightly and made a gesture of invitation, then said, "Xiaopo, quick, bring Mr. Lin to his seat!"
"Yes, Grandpa!" At that moment Han Xiaohu was feeling immensely pleased. His grandfather's posture could not have been clearer, and since he was Wei Zhao's junior brother, his standing in the Han Family hereafter needed no explaining. Seeing the envious, jealous-and-hateful look in Han Xiaochun's eyes, Han Xiaohu knew he must be regretting having missed a prime chance to make contact with Wei Zhao.
Wei Zhao followed Han Xiaohu into the council hall, where the banquet had already been arranged. The cold-dish platters were set out, but the hot dishes had not yet been served—clearly they would come only after Wei Zhao and the others were seated.
Only after Wei Zhao sat down did Han Tianba lead the rest of the family to their seats. Han Xiaohu sat on Wei Zhao's left, and Han Tianba sat on his right—enough to show how transcendent Han Xiaohu's status now was.
"Mr. Lin, before the banquet, might you first say a few words to the juniors of our Hidden Han Family?" Han Tianba asked respectfully once he was seated.
"A few words?" Wei Zhao shook his head with a bitter smile. "I am neither their elder nor their teacher, so let us skip the speeches. Besides, I am not so difficult a person. Since they are all Xiaopo's family, let us just be at ease."